The DPH letter, sent to the hospital yesterday, was issued in response to a plan submitted by the hospital which the DPH requested as part of its legal review and evaluation of the closure's impact on the health of the community. On April 17, the DPH had issued an initial finding that the beds slated for closure provided an essential service that is "necessary for preserving access and health status in the hospitals' service area." The DPH had requested the hospital provide more detailed information about their plan for the closure and their rationale for how patients would be cared for post closure.
In rejecting the hospital's closure plan, the DPH calls into question nearly every aspect of the hospital's rationale for the closure, stating UMass Memorial's response does not "meet the needs of the patients in the Community. As a result of this review, the Department is deeply concerned that the proposed closure of thirteen out of twenty-seven psychiatric beds in the central Massachusetts area, will impact the timely admission and treatment of persons in need of inpatient psychiatric care." The DPH further calls upon the hospital to "reassess" the closure "to best meet the needs of those individuals presenting with a need for inpatient psychiatric care." Reporters can obtain a PDF of the letter by emailing dschildmeier@mnarn.org.
The DPH is not alone in its opposition to the closure, as the plan has been met with strident opposition from every sector of the community, including leading mental health advocates, the Worcester City Council (which cast a unanimous vote in opposition to the closure), several members of the Worcester legislative delegation, local law enforcement officials, former patients and family members of patients, as well as staff at the facility.
"No one outside of those proposing this callous and dangerous plan supports this closure," said Lisa Goss, RN, a nurse on 8 East, the unit where the beds are slated for closure. "All, including the agency in our state charged with protecting public health have evaluated and rejected the hospital's arguments for this closure, yet UMass has turned a deaf ear to the outcry from our community."
UMass Management Shocks Staff by Threatening to Close the Unit Regardless of DPH Findings
Goss's skepticism about UMass Memorial management's commitment to its patients is well founded. Nearly two weeks ago, after the DPH issued its initial finding that the beds slated for closure were an essential service that should be preserved, and before UMass had even submitted its required response to DPH, hospital management met with the staff on the unit and told them that they planned to go forward with the closure no matter what DPH ruled.
"We were shocked that our management could take such an arrogant position and show such blatant disdain for our patients, and those who oversee the safety of our patients," said Goss. "In the interest of our patients and this community, we can only hope that UMass management finally comes to its senses and places its concern for patients ahead of its concern for the bottom line."
The DPH rejected nearly every claim made by the hospital to justify the closing, including rejecting its contention that patients currently cared for on the unit can be safely admitted and cared for in other facilities in the region, particularly patients with both psychiatric and medical conditions, and patients who may be poor. "As the existing beds at the Medical Center treat patients with both psychiatric and medical needs, the Department is deeply concerned that the lack of information on diagnoses accepted at alternative sites and the potential inability of these alternate sites to accept some patients from the Medical Center will delay transfer of these patients to a facility that can meet their needs"
The DPH letter further states, "these additional sites are not immediately available…Given the uncertainty of bed availability, the Department questions the Medical Center's assertion that there is sufficient capacity to treat patients with serious medical needs. Further, the Department is concerned that the Medical Center's reliance on beds at other facilities will consequently strain the regional capacity and limit access to inpatient psychiatric services and lead to increased ED boarding."
In January, the management of UMass Memorial Medical Center announced plans to close 13 of the 27 psychiatric beds on 8 East, its busy inpatient psychiatric unit, and to convert these beds to medical surgical beds.
On 8 East staff care for patients from the age of 16 up to geriatrics. They suffer from a range of mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, addiction, and also may be suicidal, self-injurious, and have homicidal thoughts and behavior. These patients often also need treatment for other medical issues which they are able to receive on 8 East because it is a medical psychiatric unit within an acute care hospital.
This unit is nearly always full, while at the same time, the UMass University and UMass Memorial emergency departments are overburdened with psychiatric patients waiting for a bed on this or any other unit in the state that can take them These patients often wait several hours to several days for a bed.
Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mna-dph-rejects-umass-memorial-medical-centers-plan-to-close-psychiatric-beds-300454366.html

"We are delighted to add an experienced commercial biologics team and facilities to help meet the needs of this transformative industry," said Mark Bamforth, president and chief executive officer at Brammer. "We are building on more than a decade of supplying first-in-human cell and gene therapy clinical trials under the leadership of Dr. Richard Snyder, Brammer's chief scientific officer. Our commercial-ready Cambridge facility will be fully operational by Q4 2017. We appreciate Biogen's support during the transition of the facilities and skilled manufacturing personnel."
Originally built for the manufacture of Biogen's clinical and commercial biologics, the 66,000 square-foot Cambridge facility in the heart of Kendall Square was licensed by regulatory authorities to manufacture four commercial products. Brammer is renovating the facility for late-stage clinical development and commercial launch of gene therapy products. Brammer also acquired Biogen's nearby 49,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution and warehousing facility, providing high-quality storage and distribution capabilities.
Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Jay Ash, commented, "By bringing novel medical treatments to patients and retaining biotech manufacturing jobs in Massachusetts, Brammer Bio is enhancing the Commonwealth's leading position in both life sciences and advanced manufacturing."
Since completing a merger with Florida Biologix, an Ampersand Capital Partners' portfolio company, in March 2016, Brammer has doubled its capacity for process development and is expanding its clinical production space in Alachua, Florida. The addition of Massachusetts facilities gives Brammer 230,000 square feet of development, distribution, and CGMP manufacturing facilities. Brammer also previously announced plans to build-out its 50,000 square-foot facility in Lexington, Massachusetts, which is currently being designed for late stage and commercial cell therapy supply.
About Brammer Bio
Brammer Bio offers clinical and commercial services to supply vectors for in vivo gene therapy and ex vivo modified-cell based therapy. This includes process and analytical development, and regulatory support, enabling large pharma and biotech clients to accelerate the delivery of novel medicines to improve patients' health. Brammer is owned by Ampersand Capital Partners, the only institutional investor in the company, and its founders. For more information, please visit www.brammerbio.com.
About Ampersand Capital Partners
Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm with a focus on growth equity investments in the healthcare sector. Over the past two decades, Ampersand has managed more than $1 billion in private equity partnerships. Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Visit www.ampersandcapital.com.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brammer-bio-announces-major-milestone-in-establishing-commercial-ready-gene-therapy-supply-for-the-industry-300453910.html

Local authors Michael J. Vieira & J. North Conway will be available to sign copies of book
--The North Dartmouth Barnes & Noble will be hosting a book signing foron Saturday, May 20th at 2:00p.m. Authors Michael J. Vieira and J. North Conway will be available to sign copies. Stop by to get your copy of this local history book signed!New England is a rocky, rugged region. Its towns are marked by stone walls and its cities anchored by native granite and marble buildings. Historically significant boulders, many with Native American as well as colonial and neo-pagan origins, attract tourists from around the world. Some are formations that are complex in shape, form and significance, while others contain enigmatic messages, meanings and intriguing characteristics. Learn more about the famous sites like Plymouth Rock, the Old Man of the Mountain and the Sleeping Giant, as well as the lesser-known such as Profile Rock, Dighton Rock and Slate Rock. Authors Michael J. Vieira and J. North Conway examine the history, the legends and the people associated with forty-five notable geological wonders.Dr. Michael J. Vieira retired in 2013 after serving as associate vice-president for academic affairs at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts, since 2008. Prior to this, he was dean of business and information management, also at BCC, for five years. Mike earned a PhD from Capella University, a BA and MAT from Bridgewater State College and a CAGS from Rhode Island College, as well as certifications from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.J. North Conway is the author of thirteen books, including a quartet of books about New York City during the Gilded Age: King of Heists, The Big Policeman, Bag of Bones and Queen of Thieves. Other works include American Literary: Fifty Books That Define Our Culture and Ourselves and The Cape Cod Canal: Breaking Through the Bared and Bended Arm.Barnes & Noble392 State Road Route 6North Dartmouth, MA 02747Saturday, May 20th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.The combination of Arcadia Publishing & The History Press creates the largest and most comprehensive publisher of local and regional content in the USA. By empowering local history and culture enthusiasts to write local stories for local audiences, we create exceptional books that are relevant on a local and personal level, enrich lives, and bring readers closer - to their community, their neighbors, and their past. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com

According to the survey, released by the Massachusetts Nurses Association at the State House on May 11, having too many patients at one time to care for is the most significant challenge to RNs providing high-quality patient care, with 77 percent of nurses identifying unsafe patient assignments as a problem.
The survey also shows that patients are sicker than ever before, requiring highly specialized nursing care. To help educate the public about the role of RNs in today's complex health care environment, the MNA also premiered at the State House a video series called "What Nurses Really Do" alongside the survey. The first video and a call to action for more nurse videos can be seen at www.massnurses.org/WhatNursesDo.
"When it comes to the delivery of patient care and the safety of patients, registered nurses are at the front lines of the health care system," said MNA President Donna Kelly-Williams, RN. "What happens to nurses and the nursing profession is directly connected to the ultimate health and well-being of every patient we encounter. In hospitals, nurses deliver 90 percent of the clinical care patients receive, and are the only caregivers legally and ethically accountable for the safety of patients every minute they are in the hospital."
Nurses providing direct care report their patients have increased medical complications and are admitted to the hospital with more serious illness and injury today. Wide majorities of nurses – nearly eight-in-ten – say their patients are sicker now than patients ten years ago. More than half (53%) say their patients are much sicker – a figure that jumps to 63% among nurses working at community hospitals.
Twice as many nurses say the staffing situation in their facility has gotten worse over the past four years (39%) as say it has gotten better (21%). Staffing issues are particularly problematic at community hospitals (8% gotten better, 41% gotten worse). Just one-in-ten nurses (10%) feels administrators at their hospital are very responsive to input from RNs about patient assignment levels. Three-in-ten (28%) say management rarely or never adjusts nurse staffing levels when RNs face unsafe patient loads.
In each of these categories, RNs reported an increase in patient safety concern over 2015 survey results:
"Our nurses are telling us that things are not working," said Rep. Denise Garlick, D-Needham. "We need to listen to them. Three years ago, I worked with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass safe patient limits in our Intensive Care Units, knowing that it was the first step towards limits in all hospital units. Today's survey confirms that we must take that next step. Our nurses are telling us we need safe limits in all units to protect patients."
By wide margins, nurses are more likely to say hospital mergers and acquisitions (21-point margin) and emerging business relationships between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies and/or medical device manufacturers (19-point margin) worsen the quality of patient care. Nurses are even more critical of the impact of insurance reimbursement changes, saying new insurance policies do more to worsen care by a 33-point margin.
What Nurses Really Do
For 15 straight years, nurses have topped Gallup's annual survey of the most honest and trustworthy professions. But many people don't really know what nurses do on a daily basis. "The State of Nursing in Massachusetts" shows that 43 percent of RNs do not believe patients understand their role.
The reality is that nursing today is a complex and demanding profession. Patients are sicker than ever and are admitted to hospitals with serious medical complications. The MNA's video series, "What Nurses Really Do" features Massachusetts nurses speaking directly to the public, telling them about the specialized patient care they provide every day.
The first installment in the series, debuting May 11 at the State House, features RNs from Cape Cod Hospital, Norwood Hospital and Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital. Nurses are encouraged to share their own experiences as nurses and tell the public what they really do at www.massnurses.org/WhatNursesDo.
"The State of Nursing in Massachusetts" was commissioned by the MNA and conducted between April 5 and April 25, 2017 by Anderson Robbins Research, an independent research firm headquartered in Boston. The 2017 survey respondents were all registered nurses working in Massachusetts health care facilities randomly selected from a complete file of the 100,000 nurses registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/state-of-nursing-in-massachusetts-survey-released-for-national-nurses-week---results-strike-alarm-for-patient-safety-amid-drastic-changes-to-health-care-300456133.html

The Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts (WWCMA) announces Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts, and Tad Mitchell, President and CEO of Wellright as their Keynote Speakers for the 6th Annual WWCMA Conference to be held on September, 19, 2017 at Gillette Stadium.
Governor Charlie Baker was inaugurated as the 72nd Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 8th, 2015, after several decades of service in both state government and the private sector. Since taking office, Governor Baker has been making Massachusetts a great place to live, work and raise a family – while delivering a customer-service oriented state government that is as hard working as the people of the Commonwealth. Governor Baker believes people are policy and has appointed a bipartisan Cabinet and developed strong relationships with the legislature to work across the aisle and deliver results for our state. If Governor Baker is unable to attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances, another representative from his office will take his place.
Tad Mitchell is the President and CEO of WellRight, a leading provider of employee wellness solutions. Mr. Mitchell is the co-author of 21 Habits: A Wellness Survival Guide, and the author of 101 Challenges: Become the Best You.
“We are honored to have Governor Baker and Tad Mitchell as our keynote speakers for the 2017 WWCMA Annual Conference", states Niraj Jetly, WWCMA Education and Events Co-Chair, “We believe they will deliver outstanding presentations that will have a lasting impression on our attendees.”
The WWCMA 6th Annual Conference theme is Establishing a Culture of Health: Supportive Wellness Strategies to Measure, Engage and Inspire. The focus this year will be on real life case studies from employers on their experiences with wellness programs, in addition to expert advice and research from wellness industry professionals. The conference is now open for registration and can be accessed on the Conference page of the WWCMA website.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE [NYSE: GE] announced today the appointment of three new company officers.
William “Mo” Cowan has joined GE as Vice President of Litigation and Legal Policy. Prior to joining GE, Mo was President and Chief Executive Officer of ML Strategies and Counsel to Mintz Levin. Prior to rejoining Mintz Levin, Mo represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as interim United States Senator, filling the vacancy created when John F. Kerry was appointed United States Secretary of State. Immediately prior to his Senate service, he served in several leadership positions for Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick, including Chief Legal Counsel (2009-2011), Chief of Staff (2011-2013) and Senior Advisor (2013). He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Duke University and his juris doctor from Northeastern University.
Kevin Ichhpurani has been appointed Executive Vice President of Global Ecosystem and Channels for GE Digital, responsible for developing the company’s partner ecosystem across all business units within GE. Prior to joining GE, Kevin was the Senior Partner, Head of Global Alliances and Ecosystem Innovation at Ernst & Young and previously Executive Vice President of Business Development and Global Partner Ecosystem at SAP. Kevin has spent 20 plus years in the technology sector focused on strategic business development, M&A, venture capital and corporate strategy. Kevin holds an MBA from Northwestern University.
Athena Kaviris has been promoted to Vice President of Human Resources for GE Transportation and GE Labor Relations. With more than twenty years of experience at GE, Athena has held leadership roles in human resources at GE Lighting, GE Power, GE Capital, GE Aviation and GE Transportation. Athena earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration from the State University of New York and completed her master’s degree coursework in organization development from the University of San Francisco.
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

CHESTNUT HILL, MA, May 19, 2017-- Edward A. Schwartz has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.When reflecting upon his legal career, Mr. Schwartz is most proud of his work with the Digital Equipment Corporation, also known as DEC, a computer manufacturing company based in Maynard, Mass. He served as general counsel, vice president and secretary of the company from 1967 to 1988. Responsible for the company's law department on a global level, he oversaw the setting up of offices and technical schools that taught new technology to technicians. His work greatly contributed to the success of the company, which helped develop the Internet world before it became public, and enhanced communication technology for a wider audience. With the DEC, Mr. Schwartz was also able to work for a great company comprised of dedicated employees.Mr. Schwartz pursued a career in law after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College in 1959. In 1962, he obtained an LL.B. from Boston College and became admitted to practice in the state of Connecticut. Mr. Schwartz became admitted to practice in the state of Massachusetts three years later. He has also completed postgraduate coursework at American University, Northeastern University and Stanford University.Mr. Schwartz returned to his alma mater, Boston College, in 1986 as a visiting professor of law. He then joined the faculty of the school as an adjunct professor for two years, and served on its board of directors as well. While he was a student at the university, he served as editor of the Boston College Industrial and Commercial Law Review from 1960 to 1962. He was also an editor for the Annual Survey of Massachusetts Law.In 1961, Mr. Schwartz began his professional career as a legal intern at the Office of the Attorney General for th Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He brought this experience to the law firm of Schatz & Schatz in Hartford, Conn., where he was an associate for three years. Mr. Schwartz was then an associate for the firm of Cohn, Reimer & Pollack in Boston Mass. for two years before joining the DEC. For eight years prior to his retirement, Mr. Schwartz served as president of the New England Legal Foundation in Boston.As a result of his dedication to the field of law, Mr. Schwartz was chosen to be featured in the 44th through 70th editions of Who's Who in America, and the 22nd edition of Who's Who in the East. He has also appeared in multiple editions of Who's Who in American Law and Who's Who in Finance and Business. However, Mr. Schwartz feels that his greatest accomplishments are his wonderful family and the friendships he has nurtured. He is particularly proud of his sons, Eric and Jeffrey.About Marquis Who's Who :Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America , Marquis Who's Who has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America , Who's Who in the World , Who's Who in American Law , Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare , Who's Who in Science and Engineering , and Who's Who in Asia . Marquis publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who website at www.marquiswhoswho.com Contact:Fred Marks844-394-6946

"We are working while exhausted…" the MNA BFMC Committee writes in the letter. "Among our most important issues in negotiations for which a long-term solution is urgently needed is understaffing that forces RNs and others to work overtime and extra shifts without rest. In the past two years most RNs were convinced to move from 12 hour shifts to 8 hour shifts on the rationale presented by BFMC management that academic studies correlate long shifts to fatigue, medical errors and negative patient outcomes. We agreed.
"But when we used to work 12s, we would be off duty a number of days. Now we are supposedly on 8s or 10s, scheduled for more days a week than before, but we are often really working four or five 12s, with no rest, because there is not enough staff, and so we are forced to pick up additional shift after shift after shift and can't go home at the end of our shifts. This is antithetical to the safe patient care studies management was (accurately) citing to us two years ago."
During the past 12 months at BFMC:
Noting that BFMC's president was quoted in the press saying, "As an organization here, do I feel that our staff is overworked? That's not my opinion." The nurses ask in their letter, "By what method did you come to that opinion?"
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine – part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – published a report outlining improvements to nurse working conditions. "Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses" called for a ban on nurses working more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
"In the event that nurses are required to work excessive hours because of an emergency, this information should be immediately disclosed to the public so that elective admissions can be postponed and other admissions diverted to different units or facilities. Similarly, in any instance where a nursing shortage prevents [a health care organization] from securing sufficient nurses to prevent work hours in excess of 12 hours in any 24-hour period and more than 60 hours in any seven day period, this information also should be disclosed to the public, so that elective admissions can be referred to other facilities or delayed until staffing is remedied. If an admission cannot be delayed or referred to another HCO, the patient and their family should be informed about the shortage of staffing and that nursing staff is working under conditions adverse to patient safety."
"Nurse Working Conditions and Patient Safety Outcomes," a review of outcomes data for more than 15,000 patients in 51 U.S. hospital ICUs published in the journal Medicare Care, showed that overtime for nurses was associated with an increase risk in catheter-related urinary tract infections and skin ulcers.
"The Working Hours of Hospital Staff Nurses and Patient Safety," published in Health Affairs, demonstrated that nurses working mandatory overtime are three times more likely to make a medical error.
BFMC nurses have been bargaining with Baystate since November 2016. Nurses have voted 93 percent to authorize a one-day strike and filed seven unfair labor practice charges against Baystate Franklin with the National Labor Relations Board. The strike authorization vote gives the MNA BFMC Bargaining Committee the authority to call a one-day strike. Bargaining is over a new contract to replace the agreement that was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2016. A federal mediator joined the bargaining process in February.
For more details, including the letters to the president, NLRB charges and hospital schedules, mandatory overtime reports and text messages showing a pattern of BFMC not having enough nurses for its patients, please contact Joe Markman at 781-571-8175 or jmarkman@mnarn.org.
Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baystate-franklin-medical-center-nurses-worked-3980-shifts-longer-than-12-hours-in-one-year-rns-detail-nursing-practice-concerns-in-letter-to-hospital-president-300458632.html

Major Development to Create 1,600 New Jobs in Marlborough
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito tours the 475,000-square foot Apex Center of New England in Marlborough, announces job creation.
Marlborough, MA, May 26, 2017 --(
The 475,000 square-foot Apex Center is among the largest developments currently underway in MetroWest and one of the biggest to come to Marlborough in the past decade. When completed in the fall of 2017, the development will consist of 11 buildings, including a 150,000-square-foot entertainment complex, two hotels, six restaurants, retail stores and office buildings. Over 96% of the space has already been leased and once it is fully operational, the Apex Center is expected to create 800 full-time and 800 part-time jobs.
Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced the job numbers while touring the entertainment center project site yesterday, alongside developer Robert Walker, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant, Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) executive director Meredith Harris and other local officials. The tour was organized on Polito’s recommendation, after the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded a $3.05 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant to the city in November 2016. The grant will fund roadway improvements along Route 20 West, including new turn lanes and upgraded signals, to support the Apex Center.
“This is a proud moment for our Commonwealth,” said Polito while speaking at yesterday’s event. “My colleagues in the legislature and city officials and the municipal government here are coming together with the private sector to unleash an incredible opportunity here. While there is a lot of activity in eastern Massachusetts, in our capital city, seeing this level of investment and activity in the heart of our Commonwealth is really profound, and it’s a real testament to the city’s leadership. When you have a private business owner, who wants to come forward to do something in a community like this, when he comes to City Hall and you have a full team ready and open for business, it makes his decision that much easier as to whether to invest here or somewhere else. So, it’s a real credit to Marlborough for really signaling to the business community that its wants to see this kind of activity and that it’s ready to take it on as a community. What you are creating here in Marlborough is an opportunity for the next generation to stay in the community, where students can graduate, go into the workplace and find all that they need right here in the city - great education, great jobs and a great place to live, work and raise a family. Congratulations on your success story.”
“Part of the reason we’re here is because of the Lieutenant Governor and MassWorks and Secretary Ash’s confidence in the city, as well as the City of Marlborough’s commitment,” Walker said. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of the city; they have been very welcoming. When you invest hundreds of thousands of dollars, sometimes millions, into a city, you bring those very important jobs of every aspect. From entry level, all the way to management and ownership. A lot of these folks here are independent owners of their own business, which gets me excited every day to see someone be able to grow and prosper and bring someone up along with them. It’s quiet a success story.”
"It’s going to be about 15 months from the day the project broke ground to the day the first facility at the Apex Center opens this fall," Vigeant said. “That is a fantastic achievement. I can’t thank Robert Walker and Ryan Development enough for bringing such a major and unique development to the City of Marlborough and following through on their commitment to build quickly and bring jobs for our residents.”
“The Apex Center development is a clear indicator of the health of the Marlborough economy,” Harris said. “A project of this size and scope can only thrive in an environment that is welcoming and prospering. We look forward to seeing the Apex Center open in the fall and, not only bring new amenities to the region’s residents and employers, but create new jobs for our local community. And if all 1,600 jobs go to Marlborough residents, we could virtually eliminate unemployment in the city.”
For high resolution images from the tour, go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p7g57z5sc5uustn/AACTYNWxv0IXIePc7aVsuCs0a?dl=0
For more information about the Apex Center of New England, go to: http://www.apexcenterne.com.
About MEDC:
The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. MEDC works with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization. For a complete overview of MEDC, visit www.MarlboroughEDC.com. Marlborough, MA, May 26, 2017 --( PR.com )-- The Apex Center of New England, a unique commercial mixed-use development in the City of Marlborough, is expected to create 1,600 permanent jobs when it opens in October, in addition to the approximately 400 temporary jobs it has already created during construction.The 475,000 square-foot Apex Center is among the largest developments currently underway in MetroWest and one of the biggest to come to Marlborough in the past decade. When completed in the fall of 2017, the development will consist of 11 buildings, including a 150,000-square-foot entertainment complex, two hotels, six restaurants, retail stores and office buildings. Over 96% of the space has already been leased and once it is fully operational, the Apex Center is expected to create 800 full-time and 800 part-time jobs.Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito announced the job numbers while touring the entertainment center project site yesterday, alongside developer Robert Walker, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant, Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) executive director Meredith Harris and other local officials. The tour was organized on Polito’s recommendation, after the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded a $3.05 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant to the city in November 2016. The grant will fund roadway improvements along Route 20 West, including new turn lanes and upgraded signals, to support the Apex Center.“This is a proud moment for our Commonwealth,” said Polito while speaking at yesterday’s event. “My colleagues in the legislature and city officials and the municipal government here are coming together with the private sector to unleash an incredible opportunity here. While there is a lot of activity in eastern Massachusetts, in our capital city, seeing this level of investment and activity in the heart of our Commonwealth is really profound, and it’s a real testament to the city’s leadership. When you have a private business owner, who wants to come forward to do something in a community like this, when he comes to City Hall and you have a full team ready and open for business, it makes his decision that much easier as to whether to invest here or somewhere else. So, it’s a real credit to Marlborough for really signaling to the business community that its wants to see this kind of activity and that it’s ready to take it on as a community. What you are creating here in Marlborough is an opportunity for the next generation to stay in the community, where students can graduate, go into the workplace and find all that they need right here in the city - great education, great jobs and a great place to live, work and raise a family. Congratulations on your success story.”“Part of the reason we’re here is because of the Lieutenant Governor and MassWorks and Secretary Ash’s confidence in the city, as well as the City of Marlborough’s commitment,” Walker said. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of the city; they have been very welcoming. When you invest hundreds of thousands of dollars, sometimes millions, into a city, you bring those very important jobs of every aspect. From entry level, all the way to management and ownership. A lot of these folks here are independent owners of their own business, which gets me excited every day to see someone be able to grow and prosper and bring someone up along with them. It’s quiet a success story.”"It’s going to be about 15 months from the day the project broke ground to the day the first facility at the Apex Center opens this fall," Vigeant said. “That is a fantastic achievement. I can’t thank Robert Walker and Ryan Development enough for bringing such a major and unique development to the City of Marlborough and following through on their commitment to build quickly and bring jobs for our residents.”“The Apex Center development is a clear indicator of the health of the Marlborough economy,” Harris said. “A project of this size and scope can only thrive in an environment that is welcoming and prospering. We look forward to seeing the Apex Center open in the fall and, not only bring new amenities to the region’s residents and employers, but create new jobs for our local community. And if all 1,600 jobs go to Marlborough residents, we could virtually eliminate unemployment in the city.”For high resolution images from the tour, go to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p7g57z5sc5uustn/AACTYNWxv0IXIePc7aVsuCs0a?dl=0For more information about the Apex Center of New England, go to: http://www.apexcenterne.com.About MEDC:The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. MEDC works with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization. For a complete overview of MEDC, visit www.MarlboroughEDC.com.
Click here to view the list of recent Press Releases from Marlborough Economic Development Corporation

Garballey is seeking the state senate seat vacated by the death of Sen. Ken Donnelly, D-Arlington. Garballey currently is a state representative for the 23rd Middlesex District covering Arlington and West Medford. A special primary election is schedule for June 27. The special general election is July 25.
"The MNA endorsed Ken Donnelly for State Senate and we believe Sean Garballey is the best person to continue Donnelly's legacy at the State House," Kelly-Williams said.
Garballey has pledged to support nurse efforts to improve patient care through the state legislature. These include safe patient limits for nurses, workplace violence prevention and safe patient handling bills. He also supports the collective bargaining rights of workers, making sure every public school has a school nurse and improvements for mental health patients.
"I proudly support the efforts of the Massachusetts Nurses Association to protect patients and ensure fair treatment of nurses and other health care professionals," Garballey said. "I know many MNA nurses, understand their concerns and support their legislative solutions. As a State Senator, I will be honored to stand with the MNA and fight for high-quality patient care."
Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/massachusetts-nurses-association-endorses-rep-sean-garballey-for-the-4th-middlesex-senate-district-300448993.html